Students

In view of the rising number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in HK, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (the University) will adopt the following arrangements to safeguard the health and safety of all students and staff:

(1) Class arrangement:
The 2019 – 2020 summer session has ended on 11 July. The University will closely monitor the situation and announce any changes to the teaching arrangements for the new semester, should they become necessary.

(2) Work arrangement from 14 July:
All departments and units will maintain normal services and operation. The University encourages all Department/ Unit heads to exercise flexibility under practical and allowable circumstances according to operational needs, including staggered reporting time and lunch hours, or work-from-home where the job nature permits.

Those who feel ill are advised to seek immediate medical consultation, inform their unit heads of the situation and stay home.

The University’s Emergency Response Group has prepared a list of emergency measures in case any staff member is diagnosed with COVID-19 or is classified as a close contact by the Department of Health. The University calls upon all staff to stay vigilant against COVID-19 and wishes everyone good health and safety.

For more information on how the University is coping with COVID-19, please visit Act Together Against COVID-19 website.

Dear Students and Colleagues,

We write at a time when things are returning to something resembling normality in Hong Kong, while other parts of the world are still grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. Without letting our guard down or being overly optimistic, we would like to bring to your attention how we propose to start the new semester in the fall of 2020.

While the decision to move to online classes and home office on the first appearance of the COVID-19 threats in January needed to be swift and bold, that to re-open the campus and resume in-person teaching and activities must be cautious and thoroughly deliberated. At the first threats of the novel coronavirus, the Emergency Response Group was formed, led by the Vice-Chancellor and President and staffed by members of senior management and relevant heads of the professional and administrative services units. The Group has been meeting regularly and frequently to keep abreast of local and overseas developments and to deliberate on infection control and academic and work arrangements, always informed and advised by the Committee on Health Promotion and Protection (CHPP). The Group also consulted and conferred with members of the Colleges, Faculties, other units and outside parties and experts to arrive at decisions and take necessary actions in the face of fast-changing challenges.

What will the Fall Term look like?

We are pleased to state that we now feel confident in commencing the Fall Term of 2020–21 on 7 September as originally scheduled. That said, the health and well-being of our campus population must remain our top priority and every effort will be made to ensure that our campus is free from infection while pursuing our educational objectives and goals. If there is one overarching rule that should inform all our academic and non-academic undertakings, it is physical distancing. Needless to say, physical distancing will be enforced in all places and at all times to prevent infection and implement containment if the intractable virus should find its way into our campus.

With this in mind, we have conducted various simulations and estimated that we should be able to accommodate face-to-face teaching for more than 80% of the classes scheduled for the Fall Term, provided the timetable is stretched and classrooms fully utilized. This may inconvenience some students and faculty, and understanding and patience will be much appreciated.

However, the need to avoid large gatherings and to cater for unforeseen emergencies means that online teaching and learning will still be a part of the “new normal”. There should be minimal cause for concern, as our students, faculty and staff, especially given the experience of the last school term, are now adept in making full use of technology in achieving the desired learning or work-related outcomes. We believe that, with the enhancement in WiFi connectivity and IT capabilities, online teaching and learning will only get better and better. Depending on the pedagogical needs of individual courses, a hybrid mode of online and in-person teaching will be the new norm, and very few of us will experience that sense of unwieldiness as we did a few months ago. You will hear more on the specifics of class scheduling and related arrangements from the Provost, the Registry and/or individual Departments/Divisions in the days to come.

What are the key infection control measures on campus?

A safe campus is a prerequisite to the success of the new term. Various precautionary measures have been or will be implemented to ensure that students will be able to pursue their studies and staff to carry out their work on campus as safely and effectively as possible, including but not limited to the following:

1. Face masks have to be worn at all times on campus, particularly on school buses and in indoor areas.
2. There will be body temperature checkpoints at key University venues, together with supplies of hand sanitizers and face mask vending machines.
3. Cleaning and sanitizing regimes will be instituted in common areas, including classrooms, libraries, and sports grounds, and in facilities such as elevators and buses.
4. There will be protocols of entry to and exit from classrooms and laboratories as well as of seating arrangement (at least 1.5 m apart, all facing one direction and alternate seating) to effect the optimal level of physical distancing in both lectures and tutorials.
5. The medical team at the University Health Service will take care of the sick and facilitate virus testing in suspected cases or for those that come in close contact therewith.

What is the arrangement for student residents?

The University and all nine Colleges are making every effort to facilitate new and returning non-local students to fulfil the compulsory home quarantine requirements, if applicable, before the Fall Term starts on 7 September. Students will be arranged to arrive on campus in a staggered manner starting from as early as mid-July. Such an arrangement naturally presents considerable practical challenges. Individual Colleges and hostels will exercise their specific arrangements to balance the inauguration of residential life with compliance of public health regulations in terms of self-isolation or compulsory home quarantine. It is therefore important that residents pay close attention to the specific timeframes and logistics of individual Colleges and hostels and, in the case of those coming from abroad, plan their itineraries carefully. For those who arrive late for the beginning of the term due to reasons beyond their control, we will also make alternative arrangements to keep the disruption to their studies and campus life to a minimum.

For local student residents, we expect that you can check-in on 5 September as long as the coronavirus pandemic remains under control. However, the physical settings, operations and activities in hostels will be adjusted to comply with the infection control and social distancing guidelines. We will also need to set aside contingency residential space to accommodate a possible resurgence of infections in Hong Kong. We hope that all members will continue to demonstrate flexibility and patience, as well as a collaborative community spirit during this uncertain time.

Brace for the New Normal

Physical distancing also means that many events, gatherings and co-curricular activities have to be scaled down or closely regulated from the public health angle. A task force under the Emergency Response Group has issued the “Referencing Guidelines for Social and Non-academic Events during COVID-19” to provide guidance on the planning and operation of on-campus events. The guidelines will be updated and kept commensurate with the current public health measures and regulations. We will also continue to implement access control into the University for better crowd management and contact tracing should it become necessary.

With all the necessary measures in place, we are confident that CUHK is turning a new leaf in its annals in a thoughtful and orderly manner. Credits must go to our students, staff, alumni and donors who have not only been doing their parts most diligently, but also going beyond the call of duty in many instances to help the University as a whole to navigate this challenging time. No words can adequately describe our gratitude to these dedicated members of the CUHK family. We are particularly heartened by the enthusiastic responses to the CU RElief (CURE) Fund which has already raised funds to make available employment opportunities for over 300 of our graduates. It is this spirit of solidarity and looking out for each other that gives us the confidence that we can ride out the pandemic challenge together.

While the world eagerly awaits the development of a vaccine targeted against SARS-Cov-2 and effective treatments for COVID-19, CUHK will remain vigilant on all fronts to safeguard the well-being of all members of the CUHK community. The Emergency Response Group will continue to execute its responsibilities dutifully to meet current and future challenges related to COVID-19. We will keep monitoring and assessing the situation and keep you posted in an expedient and timely manner.

Yours sincerely,

Rocky S. Tuan                                                Alan K.L. Chan
Vice-Chancellor and President           Provost

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to the global community and to members of the university. To support university members during the current period of adversity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) launched the CU RElief Fund (CURE Fund), which aims to provide assistance and support to members who are adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and to enhance the resilience of the CUHK community. 

The main relief objectives of the CURE Fund are:

(1) To provide on-campus part-time job opportunities with student helper allowance for current CUHK full-time undergraduate students to help alleviate their financial stress;

(2) To provide short-term job opportunities at the University for graduating students of the class of 2020 and alumni of the class of 2019. The CURE Fund Management Committee is also in discussion with various organizations to create job opportunities.  The aim is to help graduating students and young alumni to gain work experience and competitiveness in the face of high unemployment rate and declining job openings during the current severe economic downturn; and  

(3) To provide interest-free emergency loans for full-time staff members in junior posts (on Terms of Service C and equivalent terms) to ease their families’ financial difficulties.

Professor Rocky Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, along with all seven Pro-Vice-Chancellors/Vice-Presidents, will donate 15% of their salaries for the remaining months of the current year to seed the CURE Fund. 

CUHK is calling for donations to support the CURE Fund and to help CUHK members in need to overcome adversity. The University also sincerely invites interested organizations to offer job opportunities for graduating students and young alumni. Please contact the CURE Fund Management Committee for details (tel: 3943-1931; email: curefund@cuhk.edu.hk).

For information on donation and application, please visit www.cuhk.edu.hk/oia/cure-fund

To              All undergraduate students
From        Provost, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) and Registrar
Enquiry   registrar@cuhk.edu.hk

Dear students, 

The University has announced earlier that all Summer Session courses will be conducted online. In the light of the improving conditions in the recent development of COVID-19, and the Government’s gradual relaxation of related measures, the University has reviewed the situation and decided that some face-to-face teaching and learning activities may be allowed for courses offered in the Summer Session, subject to the two most important concerns of student and staff safety, as well as pedagogical needs being met. 

The following arrangements for undergraduate courses offered in the Summer Session will be adopted:

1. Online teaching and learning may be complemented with carefully planned face-to-face meetings.
2. Face-to-face meetings (including lectures, tutorials and laboratory sessions) will be limited to a maximum of 50 students at any one time.
3. Online instruction will be provided for students not residing in Hong Kong and students who choose not to return to campus.
4. Students with chronic illness or other medical conditions are advised to stay home for the time being.
5. On-campus examinations that require invigilation may be conducted face-to-face for students residing in Hong Kong at the time of examination. This is not applicable to other forms of assessment as stated in the assessment schemes of individual courses, such as term paper, projects, thesis, practicum etc.
6. For those courses that will have face-to-face classes and examinations, special online arrangements will be made by individual course teachers for non-local students who are not residing in Hong Kong for the classes and at the time of the examinations.  Special arrangements will also be made for students with medical or special needs.
7. All classes/ learning activities/ examinations conducted face-to-face must observe safe distancing and other precautionary measures as specified by the University.
8. Pass/ Fail grading option for all courses in Summer Session will be offered, except for courses specified by the Faculty/ Offering unit concerned, capped at a maximum of 3 credit units, exclusive of Physical Education courses.
9. The normal procedure for Summer Session late course add/ drop will be observed.

Details of the arrangements will be announced by the Registration and Examinations Section (RES) shortly.

I would like to remind all students once again that although Term GPA is not applicable to Summer Session, if they have opted the Pass/Fail grading for any courses that they registered in the Summer Session 2019-20, the grades obtained (i.e. Pass or Fail) will not contribute to the Major GPA where applicable, and Cumulative GPA. Students are strongly advised to consult their Academic Advisors and Major Departments before making their choice, which is irrevocable.

As you are all fully engaged in your examinations, and the Second Term is coming to close, I wish you all the best in your examinations, and more importantly, stay healthy.

Provost
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education)
Registrar 

To            Postgraduate Students who have registered courses in Term 2, 2019-20
                  (or Term 3 of specific taught postgraduate programmes)
From      Graduation School

The University has started online teaching in as early as mid-February 2020 and detailed guidelines have been formulated to enhance the smooth conduct of online teaching and assessment. Online teaching has been running smoothly at CUHK by and large. In general, the University is pleased that the online classes have been going well and the desired learning outcomes delivered as planned without compromise.

Nevertheless, the University understands the anxiety and worries of many of our students under such an unprecedented circumstance, especially those who lack a home environment that is conducive to learning. After very serious consideration, we have decided that the following arrangements be adopted on a one-off basis for postgraduate (PG) courses offered in Term 2 (or Term 3 for some specific taught postgraduate programmes) of 2019-20, except for courses of professional programmes or certain other courses as decided by the Graduate Division/Faculty/Offering Unit concerned.  We believe that the arrangements will strike a good balance and address both the students’ concerns as well as our faculty’s concern for academic standards.

i.   Late-drop option for all courses offered in Term 2, 2019-20, subject to the approval of the Graduate Division concerned; and

ii.   Pass/Fail grading option for all courses offered in Term 2, 2019-20, except for courses of professional programmes or certain other courses as decided by the Graduate Division/Faculty/Offering Unit concerned, capped at a maximum of 6 credit units.

Please refer to the attachment for more details.

Graduate School

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) announces that the Chung Chi College entrance (Chung Chi Gate) on Tai Po Road will be reopened to vehicles and pedestrians at 8 am, 28 April (Tuesday). The campus access management measures will remain in place. If the vehicle does not carry a valid CUHK parking permit, the driver or passenger shall present their CU Link cards or other CUHK identity proofs. Alumni going to the campus shall present their Alumni Library Cards or CU Alumni Credit Cards to prove their identity. Pedestrians are required to present their CUHK related identity proofs.  Persons who fail to present the aforesaid identity proofs are required to register their identity information with the security guard.

The No. 2 Bridge (the Bridge), after installation of reinforcing fences on newly built roadbeds, has been handed back from the Highways Department to the University for management in late March. The surface of the Bridge and its connecting roads have been severely damaged earlier. As a result of the above-mentioned fencing construction works, the Bridge has been narrowed from the original two-lane road to a single-lane road. The University is required to make repairs on the roads and implement appropriate traffic arrangement, the works on which will soon be completed. The University will reopen the Bridge to vehicle and pedestrian traffic at 8 am, 28 April.

Repair and New Traffic Arrangements of No. 2 Bridge are as follows:

Road Repair

The roads on the Bridge and its immediate surroundings have been severely damaged. The University has to repair and re-patch the road surface. New traffic signs have to be painted and erected.  Damaged pedestrian fencing have to be re-installed.

New Traffic Arrangements

(1) Pedestrian Road

• A pavement will be retained on the south side of the Bridge allowing pedestrians to travel between Campus Circuit East and the East Gate at Science Park Road as before.

(2) Vehicular Road

• The repaired Bridge will be narrowed from its original two-lane road to single-lane road. A heavy load limit of 24 tons will be implemented. Any vehicles over the limit will not be allowed to pass across the Bridge.
• The total length of the Bridge and its connecting roads is around 200 meters. There are right-angle turns at both ends of the bridge, and the arch-shape of the bridge forms a terrain which obscures drivers’ ability to see approaching vehicles from a distance. Traffic accidents have occurred at the scene multiple times in the past.
• The University has reviewed the feasibility of adopting one-lane two-way traffic by installing traffic signals.  Field trial tests using various types of vehicles have also been conducted. The results showed that if in the case that a vehicle jumps a red light in a one-lane two-way traffic scenario, the traffic will be easily paralysed or even cause a serious traffic accident in the case of a head-on collision.
• As the University considers safety a top priority, to avoid the likelihood of having traffic paralysis and serious accidents, the repaired road will become one-lane one-way traffic. Vehicles can only use the Bridge to enter Campus Circuit East from the East Gate.

The University acknowledges that the above arrangements may cause inconvenience to some drivers. Nonetheless, for the safety of all road users, the University hopes colleagues will understand the necessity of the new traffic arrangements on this road section.

In view of the continuing surge of confirmed cases and the spread of COVID-19, the University is obliged to take further precautionary measures to safeguard the health and well-being of its members. In this regard, the University has decided to impose additional necessary social distancing measures on campus starting from today (30 March). Except for emergency and essential activities critical to the operation of the University, all forms of activity and social gathering among students and staff in campus will be reduced to a minimal level to prevent infection. These measures include the following:

Restaurants, canteens and communal areas

Restaurants and canteens on campus are required to maintain precautionary measures including allowing no more than 4 persons to sit together at one table, performing body temperature screening on each customer before entering the catering premises, and all customers must wear a mask at any time except when consuming food or drink. Social distancing measures in all communal areas, study rooms, and pantries in College hostels should now be strictly observed to avoid gatherings of more than 4 people.

Laboratories

Research activities in laboratories should be maintained at a minimal level as far as applicable. Staff and students should observe strict social distancing measures to avoid gatherings of over 4 people at any one time. Face masks should be worn at all times.

All the above measures will take effect immediately and until further notice. The University will continue to closely monitor the situation and review the actions taken to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. For more information on how the University is coping with COVID-19, please visit Act Together Against COVID-19 website.

This set of guidelines is solely applicable to CUHK outgoing exchange students who have enrolled courses in partner institutions during 2019-20 Term 2 but are unable to complete the courses using face-to-face mode at the partner institutions due to COVID-19 either because they have returned to (or planned to return to) Hong Kong or their home towns, or the partner institutions have suspended face-to-face classes with no alternatives for students to continue their learnings. The arrangements will enable students to continue their studies and earn credits accordingly.

1. 1. 1. Credit Transfer: If online courses or other remote learning options are offered by the partner institutions for students to complete the courses, students should abide by the arrangement and then apply for credit transfer at CUHK as usual.
      2. Enroll in a CUHK Term 2 Course: If the student has already planned/communicated with the course teacher concerned the application for credit transfer for the course(s) taken at the partner institution during his/her exchange, the student can late add the relevant course at CUHK with the consent and agreement of the course teacher.
         • The student can late add the course as soon as possible even though s/he has not yet returned to Hong Kong since all courses are at present conducted online. S/he can add the course by completing and returning the “Late Course Add/Drop Form” to RES, preferably on or before 9 April 2020.
         • The student is allowed to late drop the course at the end of the term if s/he is unable to catch up with the progress.
         • An alternative assessment scheme can be tailor-made for the student by the course teacher if deemed appropriate and as decided by the course teacher.
         • Subject to the consent and agreement of the course teacher, the concerned student will be offered the option of P/F grading for the course, which will not contribute to the calculation of all forms of GPAs. The final decision on whether the option of P/F grading is available to the concerned student is rested with the respective Assessment Panel of the course and should be made known to the student prior to his/her enrollment of the course. Since the P/F grading will not be included in GPA calculation, students are advised to consider carefully when considering the option.
         • Course completion with grade (using the title of the CUHK course) will be indicated in the student transcript of 2019-20 Term 2.
      3. Independent Study:If no relevant courses are being offered in the current term at CUHK, a student can complete his/her study with credits by pursuing an “Independent Study” course. Detailed arrangements are as follows:
         • Please consult the Chair of the Department (that offers the course the student has initially planned to apply for credit transfer) to identify a teacher to design an “Independent Study” scheme for him/her to complete the rest of the course.
         • The level of the course and number of credit units of the course will be decided by the teacher. The student can enroll in the course by completing the “Late Course Add/Drop Form” and return it to RES as soon as possible, preferably on or before 9 April 2020.
         • The use of MOOC courses and other online materials may be used to support “Independent Study”.
         • Students are allowed to late drop the “Independent Study” if they experience difficulties in completing the course.
         • The course will be graded in P/F and will not be included in GPA calculation. Students who get a “P” in the course will gain the number of credit units, and the total number of credits that a student can gain from “Independent Study” courses should not be more than 9 units.
         • Course completion with grade of the “Independent Study” course will be indicated in the student transcript of 2019-20 Term 2 or Summer Session, depending on the time that the course is completed by the student. In any case, Students should complete the “Independent Study” no later than 11 July 2020 (the end of the Summer Session).
      4. Specially Offered Courses: Most students on exchange take only a few courses at the partner institutions. Upon their return to Hong Kong or their hometowns, they may wish to take more courses. The University has made special arrangements to offer the following General Education courses for students to take. If there are more course offerings by Departments/Units, separate announcement will be made.
         (i) UGEA2334 China Today;
         (ii) UGEB2262 From Genes to Life;
         (iii) UGEC1281 Understanding Japanese Languages and Culture; and
         (iv) UGED1810 Critical Thinking

   Please note that:

   1. • These four courses will commence from the week of 6 April 2020, and the duration will be 13 weeks as usual.
      • These courses will be offered online.
      • Each course will be offered provided that the course enrollment number is higher than 10.
      • Course completion with grade will be indicated in the student transcript of 2019-20 Summer Session.
      • Students who intend to take these specially offered courses can check the timetable information on the homepage of Office of University General Education and other course details on CUSIS from this Friday (27 March 2020). Registration of these courses will be open from 10:00 a.m. on 31 March 2020 to 5:00 p.m. on 1 April 2020 on CUSIS.
   2. Study Plan: Students can follow the arrangements stated in Paragraphs (1), (2) or (3) to complete the courses they have enrolled in partner institutions. Students should consult and seek help from their Academic Advisors to devise a Study Plan with the best alternatives to suit their individual needs and situation. Teachers will also assist students to devise a long-term plan that covers not only the study of this term but also future ones.
   3. Summer Session: The University will increase its course offering during the Summer Session. Students who wish to take more than 6 units of courses in the Summer Session should submit applications to their respective Faculties for approval. Detailed information on course registration, teaching timetable and relevant application forms for Summer Session courses will be published on RES homepage on 15 April 2020. Course registration will be scheduled on CUSIS from 27-29 April 2020.
   4. Academic Advice: Students are strongly urged to communicate with and seek advice from their Academic Advisors or the course teachers concerned in making their decisions for the choice of courses. Please contact Ms Carol Chao (39438968) of the Registration and Examinations Section or e-mail to ugadmin@cuhk.edu.hk for any enquiries concerning course registration.

This set of guidelines is solely applicable to CUHK outgoing exchange students who have enrolled courses in partner institutions during 2019-20 Term 2 and Term 3 but are unable to complete the courses using face-to-face mode at the partner institutions due to COVID-19 either because they have returned to (or planned to return to) Hong Kong or their home towns, or the partner institutions have suspended face-to-face classes with no alternatives for students to continue their learnings. The arrangements will enable students to continue their studies and earn credits accordingly.

1. 1. Credit Transfer: If online courses or other remote learning options are offered by the partner institutions for students to complete the courses, students should abide by the arrangement and then apply for credit transfer at CUHK as usual.
   2. Enroll in a CUHK Term 2 and 3 Course: If the student has already planned/communicated with the course teacher concerned the application for credit transfer for the course(s) taken at the partner institution during his/her exchange, the student can late add the relevant course at CUHK with the consent and agreement of the course teacher.
      • The student can late add the course as soon as possible even though s/he has not yet returned to Hong Kong since all courses are at present conducted online. S/he can add the course by submitting a written request to the Graduate Division for endorsement and the Graduate School for approval, preferably on or before 9 April 2020.
      • The student is allowed to late drop the course at the end of the term if s/he is unable to catch up with the progress.
      • An alternative assessment scheme can be tailor-made for the student by the course teacher if deemed appropriate and as decided by the course teacher.
      • Subject to the consent and agreement of the course teacher, the concerned student will be offered the option of P/F grading for the course, which will not contribute to the calculation of all forms of GPAs. The final decision on whether the option of P/F grading is available to the concerned student is rested with the respective Assessment Panel of the course and should be made known to the student prior to his/her enrollment of the course. Since the P/F grading will not be included in GPA calculation, students are advised to consider carefully when considering the option.
      • Course completion with grade (using the title of the CUHK course) will be indicated in the student transcript of 2019-20 Term 2 and Term 3.
   3. Independent Study: If no relevant courses are being offered in the current term at CUHK, a student can complete his/her study with credits by pursuing an “Independent Study” course, subject to the approval of the respective Graduate Division Heads and Programme Directors. Detailed arrangements are as follows:
      • Please consult the Graduate Division Head or Programme Director to identify a teacher to design an “Independent Study” scheme for him/her to complete the rest of the course.
      • The level of the course and number of credit units of the course will be decided by the teacher. The student can enroll in the course by submitting a written request to the Graduate School via his/her Graduate Division, preferably on or before 9 April 2020.
      • The use of MOOC courses and other online materials may be used to support “Independent Study”.
      • Students are allowed to late drop the “Independent Study” if they experience difficulties in completing the course.
      • The course will be graded in P/F and will not be included in GPA calculation. Students who get a “P” in the course will gain the number of credit units, and the total number of credits that a student can gain from “Independent Study” courses should not be more than 9 units.
      • Course completion with grade of the “Independent Study” course will be indicated in the student transcript of 2019-20 Term 2, Term 3 or Summer Session, depending on the time that the course is completed by the student. In any case, Students should complete the “Independent Study” no later than the end of the Summer Session.
   4. Study Plan: Students can follow the arrangements stated in Paragraphs (1), (2) or (3) to complete the courses they have enrolled in partner institutions. Students should consult and seek help from their Academic Advisors or Programme Directors to devise a Study Plan with the best alternatives to suit their individual needs and situation. Programme Directors will also assist students to devise a long-term plan that covers not only the study of this term but also future ones.
   5. Academic Advice: Students are strongly urged to communicate with and seek advice from their Academic Advisors/Programme Directors or the course teachers concerned in making their decisions for the choice of courses.
   6. Please contact your Graduate Division for advice on study plan and the Graduate School Office by email (gradschool@cuhk.edu.hk) for any enquiries concerning course registration.

From Monday 30 March ALL CUHK libraries, including the Learning Garden in the University Library and the Medical Library will be temporarily closed for two weeks to reduce the risk from Covid-19. The Library’s electronic collection and remote support from Library staff will still be available to support your learning and research.

In view of the latest development in the COVID-19 pandemic, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) will step up the precautionary measures to further reduce the risks of the novel coronavirus infection arising from social contacts. The University has decided to close all sports and communal facilities on campus starting from today (27 March 2020) until further notice. This also applies to the leisure facilities and common rooms in the student hostels and staff quarters.

CUHK libraries have been closed except the Li Ping Medical Library (open 24/7 unstaffed) and part of the University Library’s Learning Garden, which are open for CUHK students and staff. To support learning and teaching, a book retrieval service is available for CUHK students and staff during this period.

The Committee on Health Promotion and Protection also recommends that students and staff should take appropriate precautionary measures when dining at restaurants and canteens in the campus, maintain social distancing and avoid having meals face-to-face to reduce the risk of virus transmission. For those facilities which need to remain open to maintain essential services, the University will impose all practicable precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

It has been more than two months since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Hong Kong. Although we very much hope to resume face-to-face teaching during this term when the situation allows, we are facing the most recent development of COVID-19 into a pandemic disease. Since the well-being and health of students and staff are of the University’s utmost concern, and in view of the situation in which a certain number of students, especially international students have returned to their home towns, the University has decided that all courses will continue to be conducted online until the end of Term 2 on 2 May 2020. In addition, all courses of the Summer Session will also be conducted online. For the teaching arrangements of the Faculty of Medicine, please contact the relating office for details.

The University urges all CUHK members to be vigilant against COVID-19, observe risk mitigation measures and maintain social distance to prevent infection. For more information on how the University is coping with COVID-19, please visit Act Together Against COVID-19 website.

Given the rapid rise in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases outside of Hong Kong, CUHK strongly recommends all students (especially those in regions with the Red Outbound Travel Alert) to return home as soon as possible under safe and feasible conditions.  Your safety is our utmost concern.  Students are invited to consider the following options.

Option 1: Return home (Hong Kong or your hometown)

1. Take courses remotely offered by your host institution.  Your host institution may have already announced or may soon announce the transition to online learning and assessment for the remainder of the term. OAL will continue to clarify with partner institutions who have not made an official announcement on online learning and assessments arrangements.
2. Take CUHK courses.  All exchange students should be able to receive credits this term despite the interruptions.  If your host institution does not allow for remote learning,  you will be able to take CUHK courses.  The University will increase its course offering during the University Summer Session and offer alternatives which will be announced in due course.
3. Take a mix of A & B. 

We understand additional costs will be incurred with the sudden change of travel arrangements.  The University will provide up to HK$10,000 on reimbursement basis to subsidize cost of airfare for each student returning home early, effective 16 March 2020.

Option 2: Stay at your host institution

If you have assessed the situation carefully and wish to stay at your host institution, you may choose to continue the term at your host institution.  We will continue to stay in touch with you and your host institution to provide necessary support.  So please reach out to us if you need any assistance.  Our goal is to support and minimize disruptions to your learning during this challenging time.

Please indicate your option by completing the online form before 11:59pm on 19 March (HK time) and notify your host institution. 

Please note all returning students must observe the Government’s compulsory quarantine requirements outline at https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html.  Keep in touch and do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) will host the “Class Acts” CUHK Online Talk Series for students between March and April to encourage ongoing learning at home and self-improvement by acquiring knowledge in various areas during the pandemic. Demonstrating the vibrant academic environment of CUHK, nine public lectures will be presented by CUHK scholars in simple terms, outstanding in their areas of expertise, through the video conferencing platform Zoom. The lectures are free to the public, in particular local secondary and college students and those from the Mainland and overseas countries.

The first lecture presented by Professor Alan Kam Leung CHAN, Provost of CUHK on the theme of “Higher Learning in the Era of Industry 4.0” will be held on 20 March and a Q & A session is arranged for greater interaction between the speaker and participants. The outstanding scholars from eight faculties, namely Arts, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Science and Social Science, will give their views on their respective areas of expertise. The topics cover artificial intelligence (AI), gravitational waves, the application of robots in education for Special Educational Needs students, and the law of treasure hunting, amongst others. Details of the lectures are as follows. For more information on the arrangement and speakers’ profiles, please visit https://againstcovid19.cuhk.edu.hk/class-acts-online-talk/.

Dear students and colleagues,

Latest Overseas Situation of COVID-19 and Revised Reporting Criteria for Suspected Cases of COVID-19

In view of the COVID-19 outbreak in certain countries/areas, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health urged the public against travelling to Hubei Province where there is widespread community transmission of COVID-19 virus, and to avoid unnecessary travel to other provinces/cities of Mainland China, Iran, Italy (Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy and Veneto regions) and Korea.

The Committee on Health Promotion and Protection would like to advise the University members to avoid unnecessary travel. When travelling to countries/areas with community transmission of COVID-19 virus, they should avoid close contact with persons with fever or respiratory symptoms. If it is unavoidable to come into contact with them, put on a surgical mask and continue to do so until 14 days after returning to Hong Kong.

In light of the latest situation of COVID-19 overseas, CHP has updated the reporting criteria to enhance surveillance of suspected cases. Medical practitioners are requested to report to the CHP any individual fulfilling the following for further investigation:

–         Presented with fever or acute respiratory illness or pneumonia; and

–         Either one of the following conditions within 14 days before onset of symptom:

1. 1. 1. With travel history to a place with active community transmission of COVID-19; or
      2. Had close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the following websites:

–         Government’s “COVID-19 Thematic Website” (http://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/index.html) 

–         Centre for Health Protection’s “Countries/areas with reported cases of COVID-19”

https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/statistics_of_the_cases_novel_coronavirus_infection_en.pdf)

–         Statutory notifiable infectious diseases in the First Schedule to the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599)

(https://cdis.chp.gov.hk/CDIS_CENO_ONLINE/disease.html)

Committee on Health Promotion and Protection

To protect our students, staff and the community from the risk of contracting the COVID-19 and to maintain our teaching activities for the semester, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has initiated online teaching on 17 February. With the joint efforts of our students and staff, the online teaching and learning has been running smoothly. The University welcomes feedback and will continue to make every effort to uphold teaching quality. The University also encourages students to maintain frequent communication with teachers and tutors.

At the same time, the University will continue to closely monitor the development of the epidemic and will make reference to the Government’s guidelines when deliberating on the date to resume on-campus classes. Students and staff will be given at least 4 weeks of advanced notice prior to the commencement of on-campus classes activities to allow sufficient preparation time.  

CUHK has launched a designated website “CUHK vs COVID-19 Announcements & Actions” to present in detail, our preventive measures and relevant information, as well as a special website to address the Frequently Asked Questions to combat the novel coronavirus infection. Students and staff are welcome to visit these websites for more information.

In response to the COVID-19 epidemic and the recently announced Mandatory Home Quarantine Order of the Hong Kong SAR Government, all students are strongly urged to stay home and not to return to the hostels. The aim is to protect students’ health by reducing the gathering of students and the possible spread of COVID-19.  

Resident students with genuine and fully justified needs to come back to student hostels must submit prior application to College Administration/Warden. Should the application be approved, the College/Hostel will make arrangement for the students according to the situation, including helping those who returned to Hong Kong from Mainland within the past 14 days to complete the 14–day Mandatory Home Quarantine order announced by the Government on 8 February.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) today (14 February) announces that online teaching for Term 2 will begin on 17 February as scheduled. Teachers and students shall attend real time online classes according to the teaching timetable. 

Relevant University units providing necessary services will resume limited on campus operations, beginning from 17 February, to support online teaching and provide related services. For other units, the special work-from-home arrangement will continue up to 23 February.

1.    Assistance for online teaching activities
To prepare for online teaching, the University has organised 22 online workshops, from 30 January to 14 February, to assist teachers, students and supporting staff from all faculties to get familiar with the online teaching facilities, and to provide trainings.

To reduce the risk of spreading the novel coronavirus, teachers are advised to conduct online teaching from home. Understanding some of the needs of individual teachers, the University has reserved classrooms and facilities in 3 teaching blocks for use by teachers, upon their requests, to conduct online teaching activities. Faculties and administrative staff will provide the support services where necessary.

The University has also launched a ‘Special Funding Scheme for Online Learning’ and solicits teachers to apply. Teachers are encouraged to propose projects leading to innovative solutions that may optimise online teaching.

The Library has introduced new services to support online teaching. This includes, where possible, automatically purchasing electronic versions of material in Course Reserves, and a digital course pack service to scan print-only materials for students in the class. Please check the Library website for details.  

Teachers can also visit the Teaching and Learning Arrangements website for details and other relevant information. 

2.    Assistance for online learning activities
To ensure the online courses would launch smoothly, the University has strengthened its network capacity and stability. Starting from next Monday (17 February), students should attend online classes according to the teaching timetable. Students who need hardware support can visit the University Financial Aid Schemes website for information on the related funding schemes. 

The Library has introduced a new print to e-copy service. CUHK staff and students can request an e-copy of an existing library print book if the e-copy is available. For books or journal without an e-version, the Library will try to obtain the licenses for the chapters or articles where possible. From February 17, the Library will begin a book retrieval service, and the Learning Garden will be partially opened. Please check the Library website for services to Support Remote Teaching and Learning.

Students can also visit eLearning@CUHK website for more information related to online learning. Students are advised to stay at home and not to return to the campus to safeguard their health. The University will closely monitor the development of the epidemic and resume on-campus teaching when circumstances allow. Related announcement will be issued 14 days in advance.  

3.    Campus operation arrangements
Given the beginning of the teaching semester would commence on 17 February, the departments/units providing the necessary services would resume operation with limited on-site services. Work arrangements for staff members will be made on mutual agreement according to the actual needs. For the staff members of other units, the special work-from-home arrangement will continue up to February 23.

Staff members will be informed of the detailed arrangements by their respective department/unit heads in due course. Staff members who have not yet submitted  the health declaration form and conducted self-medical surveillance as indicated by the University’s Committee on Health Promotion and Protection should do so as soon as possible, and no later than the first day of their returning to work.

4. Campus transportation services
From 17 February, school buses special line H will operate at 10-15 minutes’ intervals during rush hours, and at 20-minute intervals for the rest of the time. The paid shuttle light bus service will remain unchanged. Please visit the Transport Office website for details.

5. Infection prevention information
To provide useful information, CUHK has launched a new website ‘CUHK vs COVID-19 Announcements & Actions’ to list out measures and information in detail.

The University has also launched a special website to address the Frequently Asked Questions from students and staff on protective measures against the novel coronavirus infection. Students and staff are welcome to visit these websites for more information.

To reduce the risk of spreading the novel coronavirus, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) strongly urges that all students should stay at home and should not return to campus. The special work-from-home arrangement for CUHK staff will be extended to 16 February. 

(1) All students should not return to the campus
As the epidemic continues to spread in Hong Kong and may cause unobservable infection, in order to protect students’ health and reduce the risk of infection through sharing of facilities, the University strongly urges that all students (including local and non-local undergraduates and graduate students) should stay at home and should not return to campus or hostels. The University will closely monitor the development of the epidemic and resume on campus teaching once the circumstances allow. 

(2) Isolation arrangements for students who have travelled to the Mainland
For students currently residing in campus hostels, the University advises them to return home if feasible. For those students who have travelled to the Mainland within the past 14 days, they must observe the required self-isolation measures. All Colleges will make self-isolation arrangements for their students, who should check with their respective College or hostel for details. Any reportable cases will be reported by the University to the Centre for Health Protection. 

(3) Work-from-home arrangement for University staff
Except for those being called upon by the Heads of Departments/Units to provide essential services and where circumstances permit, University staff are not required to return to the office or relevant work sites but to continue to work from home until 16 February.

For staff who are required to return to offices, they should follow the advice from the Committee on Health Promotion and Protection for health declaration and self-medical surveillance.

The University will avoid assigning staff who have been to mainland China within the past 14 days to return to the office or relevant work sites to provide essential service. They are strongly advised to follow the Department of Health’s advice to stay home for 14 days upon their return, as far as practicable.

(4) Frequently asked questions (FAQ) 
The University has added a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section to the website to address questions from students and staff on protective measures against the novel coronavirus infection. Please visit: http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/english/whats-on/focus/antivirus-faq.html

The University has taken measures to require completion of the Health Declaration Form and Self-medical Surveillance Form by students/staff under applicable circumstances.

Online Health Declaration Form and Self-medical Surveillance Form are now available for use. Those with difficulty in making online submission should consult the warden/supervisor for alternative means of submission.

Students/staff should also refer to separate announcements by the Colleges/Faculties/Units, if any, in addition to the above requirements.  Students/staff of the Faculty of Medicine will continue to follow the Faculty’s announced arrangements for online submission of the forms.

1. When a hostel resident has a fever or other related symptoms and travel history to Mainland China within 14 days, s/he will be regarded as a suspected case and need to visit UHS (during office hours) or the A&ED at PWH (after office hours) depending on the severity for immediate medical attention. If the case is identified at night, the Security Unit should be notified before calling an ambulance. Warden / Resident Tutor should inform UHS in advance for such a case. 
2. After initial screening by UHS or A&ED at PWH, if the suspected case has to be admitted to hospital for further respiratory testing, a cohort policy would be activated before the test result comes out which would normally take up to 24 hours. The roommate of the suspected case as well as the residents on the same hostel floor would be regarded as a close contact cohort. 
3. Warden / Resident Tutor would need to reach out to the close contact cohorts promptly and remind them to stay in their own rooms to avoid any possible spread of the infectious disease. Those who stay outside the hostels would need to return to their own hostel rooms right away. 
4. The close contact cohorts should put on surgical masks at all times and keep the window of their rooms open as far as possible. The College would help to obtain bottled water and simple meals to be delivered to the cohorts until the test result is released. 
5. UHS would inform the Government and College once the test result is available. The close contact cohorts have to be quarantined for 14 days if the suspected case is tested positive. UHS would conduct surveillance and control of the disease such as disinfection in the affected area.
6. If the case is tested negative, the cohort policy will be deactivated. College workmen would wear protective clothing to intensify cleaning and disinfect the particular room as well as other public areas. 
7. The Warden / Resident Tutor handling the case should wear surgical mask and protective eyewear whenever possible. They should remain within a safe distance when handling the suspected case.

http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/english/images/whats_on/inner/antivirus/reg-class_tuitionfee.pdf

To reduce the risk of spreading the novel coronavirus, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has decided to provide online teaching starting from 17 February until further notice. The special work from home arrangement for CUHK staff will be extended to 9 February.

(1) Online teaching
Except for specified courses, online teaching will be conducted from 17 February as far as practicable and feasible without compromising learning outcomes.

In order to provide adequate time to complete the courses and to compensate for the lost time, the second term will be extended for two weeks until 2 May 2020.

On campus teaching will be resumed once the circumstances allow. Notifications will be made to the students at least one week in advance before the commencement of the on campus classes.

Students will be notified of the arrangements for course assessment after 17 February.

(2) The special work from home arrangement for University staff will be extended until 9 February
Except for those being called upon by the Heads of Departments/Units to provide essential services and where circumstances permit, University staff are not required to return to the office but to continue to work from home.

For staff who are required to return to offices, they should follow the advice from the Committee on Health Promotion and Protection for health declaration and self-medical surveillance.

The University will avoid assigning staff who have been to mainland China within the past 14 days to return to the office to provide essential service. They are strongly advised to follow the Department of Health’s advice to stay home for 14 days upon their return as far as practicable.

The University has added a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section to the website to address questions from students and staff on measures to battle against the novel coronavirus infection. Please visit: http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/english/whats-on/focus/antivirus-faq.html

During this period, the University Clinic will continue to operate as usual while dental consultation will be limited to emergency case only. The shuttle bus service on campus will be limited to the holiday H-line, while the paid shuttle light bus service will remain unchanged.

As the spread of the novel coronavirus has reached a critical stage, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has been taking active steps to mitigate the increasingly alarming situation. These include the introduction of disease prevention and medical surveillance measures by the Committee on Health Promotion and Protection (CHPP), cancellation of exchange programmes and suspension of short-term academic activities in mainland China this term, as well as the extension of the lunar new year holiday and elevation of the Response Level against novel coronavirus to “Emergency”.

The CHPP has set up a steering committee to monitor and coordinate the University’s efforts and report directly to the Vice-Chancellor. To ensure the health and safety of our students, staff and faculty, further measures will be introduced.

(1) Students Health Declaration and Self-medical Surveillance
The University strongly advises students not to return to their hostels before 17 February. All students who return to hostels are required to declare their travel history in the previous 14 days by filling in the Health Declaration Form
(http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/health_promote_protect/health_declaration.pdf).
They are also required to monitor their health status for 14 days by filling in the Self-medical Surveillance Form
(http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/health_promote_protect/med_surveillance_self.pdf). The forms should be submitted to their respective hostel wardens.

Those who experience symptoms of fever, acute respiratory illness should contact hostel warden and seek medical help immediately.  Individual colleges may have additional requirements, which will be made known to their residents shortly.

As the novel coronavirus has an incubation period, and medical tests may take time, students who are suspected to have contracted the virus and those who have come into contact with them will have to be isolated until they have been cleared of infection by the medical authorities. This is necessary in the best interest of all our students who are staying on campus.

For enquiries, please contact the CHPP Information Co-coordinator at 3943 6436 (office hours) or email to healtheducation.uhs@cuhk.edu.hk.

(2) Staff Health Declaration and Self-medical Surveillance
All staff who return to work are required to declare their travel history in the previous 14 days to their supervisors by filling in the Health Declaration Form
(http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/health_promote_protect/health_declaration.pdf ).

They are also required to monitor their health status for 14 days by filling in the Self-medical Surveillance Form
(http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/health_promote_protect/med_surveillance_self.pdf). The forms should be submitted to their supervisors.

Pregnant staff or staff with long-term illnesses who require flexible work arrangements should contact their supervisors to discuss the arrangements. Those who experience symptoms of fever, acute respiratory illness should inform their supervisors and seek medical help immediately. For enquiries, please contact the CHPP Information Co-coordinator at 3943 6436 (office hours) or email to healtheducation.uhs@cuhk.edu.hk.

For the Faculty of Medicine, the staff and students who are involved in clinical work or studies at hospitals should refer to the Faculty announcement for further details.

(3) Class Arrangements
Teaching activities will resume on 17 February 2020. If the epidemic continues and classes cannot be resumed as scheduled, online teaching will be conducted as far as practicable and feasible without compromising learning outcomes. Students will be informed of detailed arrangements by their respective faculties / departments.

To cater for the needs of all students who are affected, online course add/drop for all courses offered in Term 2 will be provided once again on CUSIS from 17 February -23 February 2020. The arrangements for postgraduate programmes with a different term structure from the undergraduate degree programmes will be announced later by the Graduate School or the respective Faculties.

(4)    Large-scale Events and Conferences
The University advises all units/ offices to postpone or cancel large-scale events and conferences. 

All offices on campus will resume operation on 29 January (Wednesday), while precautionary measures are in place to prevent infection. As the situation is evolving very quickly, the University will introduce further measures and keep the CUHK community informed on a regular basis. These are extraordinary circumstances, and the health of our students and staff is always our primary concern. The mitigation of the spread of the novel coronavirus will depend on the collective effort and cooperation of the entire CUHK community. While there may be inconveniences, all CUHK members are urged to take care of their personal health and look out for the well-being of those around us.

To prevent infection by novel coronavirus, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) announces today that the response level has been elevated to “Emergency”. The University has also decided to extend the Lunar New Year holiday. Classes will resume on February 17. Details of the teaching and learning arrangements will be announced later.

1. All personnel should wear a surgical mask, particularly in crowded areas such as public spaces and school buses.
2. Local students residing in university hostels are encouraged to stay at/return home. Those who need to stay at university hostels are required to fill in the health declaration form and the self health surveillance form on a mandatory basis. If any hostel resident has developed fever and/or respiratory symptoms, the Warden should be notified for arranging medical intervention and informing the Committee on Health Promotion and Protection (CHPP). 
3. Hostel and public area cleansing processes will be escalated to the highest level. 
4. A fever clinic will be set up in the University Health Service, starting from 29 January 2020.

For details, please visit CHPP website: http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/health_promote_protect/emergency.html

In view of the latest development of the Novel Coronavirus infection, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has decided to cancel all term-time student exchange programmes and suspend short-term academic activities for students in mainland China after carefully assessing the risks.  “The health and safety of our students is our first priority,” a university spokesperson said.

The Office of Academic Links has notified all students participating in student exchange programmes in mainland China this term.

The University is also deliberating on the class resumption arrangements after the Lunar New Year holidays.

As of 22 January 2020, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has received reports of a total of 135 suspected cases fulfilling the reporting criteria. 97 reported cases have been ruled out as novel coronavirus infection and were discharged already. The remaining 38 cases were hospitalised including 2 cases with preliminary positive results for novel coronavirus.

As of 23 January 2020, 9am, according to the National Health Commission and health authorities of overseas countries, the global number of cases is 579 (Mainland China: 571, other countries/areas: 8). Among the 571 cases in Mainland China, 95 cases were in serious condition and 17 were fatal cases. Some countries and provinces in the Mainland, such as Guangdong, Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, Korea and United States, have reported cases of novel coronavirus infection, but there is so far no evidence of possible community transmission of novel coronavirus infection in these countries/areas.

In view of the latest situation and risk assessment, the CHP will enhance surveillance of suspected cases and revise the reporting criteria of Severe Respiratory Disease associated with a Novel Infectious Agent. The University Health Service will follow the revised reporting criteria and closely monitor the health surveillance on campus. The Committee on Health Promotion and Protection (CHPP) continues to monitor the latest development and take appropriate prevention and control measures according to the CHP’s recommendations.

1. Cleaning is stepped up throughout the campus. School buses, toilets, public and hostel areas have already increased the frequency of daily cleanings. Frontline staff of security, school bus drivers, and EMO staff will wear masks while on duty.
2. Health declaration form and Self medical surveillance form (with immediate effect)
   
   • When returning to hostel after travel abroad, students are required to fill in the health declaration form and monitor their health status using the self-medical surveillance form for 14 days.
   • When returning to work after travelling abroad, supervisor can advise staff to fill in the health declaration form and monitor their health status using the self-medical surveillance form for 14 days, if necessary.
   • For medical assistance, please call our CHPP Information Co-ordinator at 3943 6436 (office hours) or email to healtheducation.uhs@cuhk.edu.hk.
3. Our university has launched a medical surveillance, all cases of suspected or confirmed pneumonia cases of novel coronavirus infection should be reported to our CHPP Information Co-ordinator.The university will make appropriate arrangements accordingly.

All university members are reminded to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene to prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infection: 

• Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes; after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs; or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing;
• Maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly (about once a week) pour about half a liter of water into each drain outlet (U-traps) to ensure environmental hygiene;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, performing hand hygiene with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is an effective alternative;
• Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly; and
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly.

Please take heed of the health advice below when travelling outside Hong Kong: 

• Avoid close contact with persons with fever or respiratory symptoms in countries/areas with possible transmission of the novel coronavirus infection. If it is unavoidable to come into contact with them, put on a surgical mask and continue to do so until 14 days after returning to Hong Kong;
• Avoid visiting hospitals. If it is necessary to visit a hospital, put on a surgical mask and observe strict personal and hand hygiene;
• Avoid touching animals (including game), poultry/birds or their droppings;
• Avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms;
• Avoid making close contact with patients, especially those with symptoms of acute respiratory infections;
• Do not consume game meat and do not patronise food premises where game meat is served;
• Adhere to food safety and hygiene rules such as avoiding consuming raw or undercooked animal products, including milk, eggs and meat, or foods which may be contaminated by animal secretions, excretions (such as urine) or contaminated products, unless they have been properly cooked, washed or peeled;
• If feeling unwell when outside Hong Kong, especially if experiencing a fever or cough, wear a surgical mask, inform the hotel staff or tour escort and seek medical advice at once; and
• After returning to Hong Kong, consult a doctor promptly if experiencing a fever or other symptoms, take the initiative to inform the doctor of any recent travel history and any exposure to animals, and wear a surgical mask to help prevent spread of the disease. 

For enquiries, please call our CHPP Information Co-ordinator at 3943 6436 (office hours) or email to healtheducation.uhs@cuhk.edu.hk.

To further understand the preventive measures of various units of the University, please refer to the Serious Response Level of CHPP website:
http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/health_promote_protect/serious.html

CHPP Preventive Recommendations:
http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/health_promote_protect/preventive_recommendations.html

Fact sheet on Severe Respiratory Disease associated with a Novel Infectious Agent:
https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/102466.html

Information on the affected countries/areas is available from the following webpage:
https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/statistics_of_the_cases_novel_coronavirus_infection_en.pdf

Latest situation of reported cases of Severe Respiratory Disease associated with a Novel Infectious Agent:
https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/enhanced_sur_pneumonia_wuhan_eng.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0Rxx6ZV1ZAEg1vznAQUyh50FjSQCn_L4VLWv2d6TAnRTmV5e9GjGk06FQ

In view of the cluster of viral pneumonia cases with unknown cause in Wuhan, the Government launched the Preparedness and Response Plan for Novel Infectious Disease of Public Health Significance and activated the Serious Response Level on 4 January 2020. Under the Serious Response Level, the immediate health impact caused by Novel Infectious Disease of Public Health Significance on local population was assessed to be moderate. The University Health Service will closely monitor the health surveillance on campus.

To prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infection, it is essential to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. When travelling outside Hong Kong, avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms. Wear surgical masks and seek medical attention if present with fever or respiratory symptoms, and reveal your travel history to doctors.

Please take heed of the following health advice:

• Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes; after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs; or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretion after coughing or sneezing;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel or hand dryer. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, hand hygiene with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is an effective alternative;
• Clean objects thoroughly and frequently with diluted household bleach (by adding one part of household bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite to 49 parts of water), followed by rinsing or wiping with clean water;
• Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly; and
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly.

For the latest information, please visit the webpage of Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health:

• Enhanced surveillance for the cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan of Hubei
• Preparedness and Response Plan for Novel Infectious Disease of Public Health Significance (2020), HKSAR Government